Does Governor Hochul have the power to remove the mayor of New York City?

Yes, Governor Hochul possesses an extraordinary power to remove the mayor of New York City, though it has never been exercised in the more than 230-year history of New York state. This unprecedented authority has made Hochul understandably hesitant to use it. The governor has been reluctant to exercise this power because she feels it could be viewed as undemocratic to remove an elected official. As Mayor Eric Adams faces federal corruption charges, this historical constitutional power has come under scrutiny, creating a significant political dilemma for the governor.